Hope Academy Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO PROVIDE A SAFE, SOBER, AND CHALLENGING SCHOOL EXPERIENCE FOR STUDENTS WHO SHARE A COMMITMENT TO EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AND PERSONAL GROWTH.
- Income
- $2.5 million
- Spending
- $2.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 64%
- Reserves
- 2.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 48%
- Employees
- 32
- Volunteers
- 12
- Highest pay
- $149,373, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.6 months of spending.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 65% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 9% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1564% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 69% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2512 of 12 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $1.6 million spent. HOPE ACADEMY IS A TUITION-FREE PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL FOR INDIANA STUDENTS IN GRADES 9-12. AS THE ONLY RECOVERY HIGH SCHOOL IN INDIANA AND ONE OF JUST 43 NATIONWIDE HOPE ACADEMY IS A WELCOMING AND SUPPORTIVE ACADEMIC ENVIRONMENT COMMITTED TO SOBRIETY, ACADEMIC SUCCESS AND PERSONAL GROWTH. HOPE ACADEMY IS A MEMBER OF THE ASSOCIATION OF RECOVERY SCHOOLS. THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF HOPE ACADEMY IS TO HELP ADOLESCENTS STRUGGLING WITH THE DISEASE OF ADDICTION EARN A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA. HOPE ACADEMY IS OPEN TO ALL INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.
- EXPERIENCE TELLS US THAT LONG-TERM SUCCESS FOR ADOLESCENTS IN RECOVERY IS GROUNDED IN A GOOD EDUCATION AND ONGOING SUPPORT. RESEARCH INDICATES THAT STUDENTS, WHO HAVE SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISORDERS AND ARE NOT IN RECOVERY WILL LIKELY DROP OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL, FACE A LIFE OF INCARCERATIONS OR THEY WILL DIE FROM THE DISEASE (INDIANA PREVENTION RESEARCH CENTER, 2004).
- HOPE ACADEMY PROVIDES A RECOVERY AND WELLNESS CURRICULUM, ALLOWING STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR PERSONAL GROWTH IN THEIR RECOVERY FROM DRUG AND/OR ALCOHOL ADDICTION. EACH STUDENT IS REQUIRED TO TAKE A RECOVERY-FOCUSED BASIC SKILLS COURSE. STUDENTS LEARN BASIC SKILLS, INCLUDING BALANCING A CHECK BOOK, HOW TO INTERVIEW AND WRITE A RESUME AND TIME MANAGEMENT, TO PREPARE THEM FOR LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL. MOST IMPORTANTLY, STUDENTS LEARN HOW TO LIVE THEIR LIFE CLEAN AND SOBER. HOPE ACADEMY HAS A RECOVERY COACH AND PEER SPECIALISTS PROVIDING THE STUDENTS SUPPORT AND TOOLS FOR RECOVERY. HOPE ACADEMY USES THE 90-IN-90 WORKBOOK, A TOOL FOR RECOVERY WELLNESS, AS A WAY FOR STUDENTS TO JOURNAL ON THEIR RECOVERY PROCESS. STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND RECOVERY MANAGEMENT AND 12-STEP MEETINGS OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 2019.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.